HOSTS willing to make a French connection are needed to offer beds to visitors from Bury's twin town of Tulle.

A party of around fifty people from the town, which lies in the Massif Central region of France, will be visiting Bury from April 2 to April 7.

The exchange group, to consist of people of all ages, will include the 27-strong Jazz Ensemble de Tulle who will be staging two light music and jazz concerts that week.

Hospitality is a the host's own expense, with reciprocal arrangements made either privately between host and guest, or as part of an official visit to France arranged by the Bury-Tulle Twinning sub-committee.

Tulle was first twinned with Prestwich in 1969 and became tied to the Metropolitan Borough of Bury in 1974.

Mrs Jean Howcroft, sub-committee chairman, said: "You do not need to speak French, be a cordon bleu cook, or possess a luxury home.

"The visitors are coming here to meet English people and to learn about our way of life."

Those interested should ask for an application form by telephoning Mrs Howcroft on 766 7194, or sub-committee secretary Alan Shillaker on 980 5928.